Once again... the day is saved... thanks to... me! Remember the question asked in chapter 23:
"Could there be another secret organization in play here?"
Well, the answer to these questions and more await in this chapter... rated PG-13 for violence and possible swearing.
Chapter Twenty Five: Paying His Dunes
Grand Corei Desert
The sandy wind rushed through his hair which was of a reddish blond hue, albeit more red than blond. His grey eyes were fixed on the shifting, hazy horizon as words he had thought to himself returned in full force.
I promise you that before this is over, I will control you.
A lot had happened to Kamren Kent over the past five weeks. Ever since he'd received his first Pokémon, a Fryger, from Prof. Theodore Yew, Pokémon researcher. He had started his quest with his friends Carla Witkins and Dex Harrington. Carla's little brother Calvin had also tagged along. Each had their own goals in life yet through the familiarity years of friendship bring, they'd seen past their differences and banded together to support each other, no matter how much they got on each other's nerves… they'd had always sorted out their differences…
... and now...
... the time had come to settle another difference.
Enlarging the pure white orb that had been clenched in his fist the whole time he'd been standing lost in thought, he pressed a concealed button on the lower white half of the pokéball, releasing its contents in a flash of orange. Burner appeared as the flash light became denser, forming a creature which had wicked four foot long claws, a Mohawk like mane and a deep red and black-striped pelt. Its golden yellow eyes narrowed in the arid breeze that blew through the air. Turning to the youth who had released him, he snarled in an arrogant voice, I don't see the battle. What the hell am I doing here?
Kamren, rather than replying with a cruelly sarcastic comeback, exhaled deeply and said clearly "Putting an end to your aggressive streak. It's out of control."
The Therline looked at the thirteen year old and thought he had surely made a bad joke. Put an end to my aggressive streak? You've either friggin' lost it or you're not Kamren. C'mon, man… let's go find some weak punks to take out… yo, Kamren!
Kamren only shook his head in reply. "I've been thinking, Burner."
Careful. You're not meant to strain yourself at new activities, Burner joked. His arrogant smile, which so recently had been a mirror of the boy's before him, slipped a couple of notches as he saw no flicker of a smile cross Kamren's face. OK, what's wrong? You always said 'Emotions are excess baggage that'll dull our skills.'
"I'm not sure," Kamren said softly. "Ever since the match with Haley and Bubbles…"
Yeah, that was fun! Burner said happily. Remember when I had that floppy rabbit landed on 'er airy fairy head? That was a Kodak moment…
"Well, what happened next after the Metal Rush wasn't so cool, Burner," Kamren said harshly.
Scowling the Fire type replied, Yeah? Well, guess what? Any Pokémon who can attack when her opponent's back is turned doesn't deserve any mercy. Least of all from me.
Kamren stared incredulously at his starter. Of all the reasons to… he thought incoherently. Aloud he shouted, "So, according to you… Bubbles deserved to be pummeled to near death?! Is that what the team is about to you?"
No, that's what the team is all about to you!" Burner yelled back furiously. "Another one of your favourite anecdotes was always, 'Mercy is what the weak show'... and make no mistake, Burner went on breathing quickly. I am not weak!
"Well, I was wrong, wasn't I?"Kamren roared.
NO, I WAS! Burner shrieked, a blast of intense heat emanating from his body and knocking his trainer off his feet. I WAS WRONG THAT YOU WERE THE TRAINER THAT COULD HANDLE ME! LAST YEAR'S LOSERES DIDN'T EVEN COME CLOSE!
Burner turned his back on Kamren and said, staring at the boy who rolled painfully down the side of the dune and said, Our paths are no longer the same. Find some other loser Pokémon to join you. Just remember I won't be there to help your ass out of trouble!
And with one more disgusted, askance stare at his former trainer, Burner stalked away over the dune they had stood on together and out of sight into the desert winds.
Picking himself out of the shifting sands, Kamren yelled into the wind, "Fine! GO! Run away, turn your back on the team! COWARD!"
But as tears he'd sworn never to show since his father had left home trickled form his eyes, he knew Burner hadn't turned his back on the team… he had.
***
"I'm worried," Carla said for the fiftieth time, pace the dusty ground on which she, Calvin, Dex and Kamren had pitched camp the night before.
"Carla, relax," Dex said, looking over at her as his Aron, Tank got sent for a loop by Keno, Calvin's Alakazam.
Hey! Your head in the game, please, idiot! Tank yelled as he hit the side of the stone well that stood near the tent where the boys were training their Pokémon, or rather Calvin was having Keno use Tank as a Psychic punching bag.
"Well, I can't help it," Carla said fretfully, setting a dish of Pokémon food before Banyan, her new Faelock. "He never left a note… and he didn't take Volt or Ciela with him."
Calvin said calmly, "I'd recommend calming down, Carla. Your boyfriend will be fine. It is Karmen after all."
"Stop calling Kamren that!" Carla yelled, looking so flushed that she appeared sun burnt as she dropped a second bowl on top of her newest capture, a Sandshrew dubbed Gold.
Calvin smirked and said "Fine. Just let us finish up here and we'll go look for him."
Carla turned to look at their battle as Tank rose to his feet and glowed white. Great, now Tank's evolving, Carla thought grimly. This'll never end…
"Banyan, Gold… return," Carla said softly, returning her two Pokémon and creeping off as Tank stood in his full Lairon glory and cackled, "It's a little late for breakfast, but I think I can manage one more Alakazam pancake," causing Keno and Calvin to break out in a cold sweat.
Mysterious Temple
Location Unknown
The cathedral looked ancient. Almost as old as the legends for which it had been constructed for eons ago. The stone pews had not been displaced, nor had they been cleaned for almost as long if the filth and cobwebs strung across them like Christmas garlands were any indication. The stained windows that chronicled the interactions the legendaries had shared with the men who'd worshipped them were missing many a pane; the gaps left behind allowing weak sunlight and dapple green mist to filter into the large hall. The double doors opened and two figures shrouded in white cloaks marched up the moth-eaten carpet that stretched the length of the temple towards the alter behind which a paneless window stood twelve feet above the ground set in the stone wall through which a blinding light flooded the cathedral at the end furthest from the large oaken double doors through which the figures had entered. Both knelt in unison and bowed their heads upon reaching the boundary of white and red and pewter grey. Two thrones were discernable in the light and although they seemed to be occupied, by who or what remained a mystery.
"Are all preparations complete?" A man's voice rang out from the throne, which was so bathed in light that the owner of the voice was hardly visible at all.
"Yes, my Lord and Lady," a second male's voice replied, this one guttural. The owner's hood tumbled backwards to reveal a clean shaven individual with short blond hair and piercing blue eyes which resembled chips of ice.
A stern female voice also spoke from the blinding light, "and your information on the dissident?"
"All accurate. The demon and its spawn will be eradicated soon enough," the second cloaked figure replied, lowering her hood to reveal light purple eyes hidden beneath a fringe of straight black hair.
"Good," the first man said in a very satisfied voice. "Very good. Light shall prevail over the shadow."
"Light shall prevail over the shadows," the voices echoed before fading out of site.
"Soon, my dear," the first female spoke softly, as the organ music played on. "The purification of Corei has begun."
Grand Corei Desert
Kamren stared at the spot on the horizon his first Pokémon had walked away from him, unsure how he was going to handle losing his first Pokémon, and (dare he say it? Even to himself?) his best friend? Was he really deserving to be a trainer? Would Volt and Ciela hang around him after they found out? What about Carla, Calvin and Dex? Kamren himself was finding it hard to believe that Burner would up and leave like he just had. He was sure no other trainer would have ever had this problem… not even Sapph Manson, whom he considered inferior due to his sappy kindness and egotistical love of playing the hero every where he went.
After standing rooted in the sand for several minutes, the realization hit him; Burner was gone. He wasn't coming back.
Letting out a yell of fury that was sure to reverberate for miles, Kamren sank to his knees and swore over and over again, tears of fury flowing freely as the words of his unspoken pledge made to his sister rang unrelentingly in his mind:
I promise you that before this is over, I will control you.
I promise…
…I will control you…
…Before this is over…
…I will control you…
…I promise you…
…this is over…
…I promise…
…control you…
…I promise…
…this is over…
…over…
…over…
…it's over…
Was it really over? Could he let it end this way? "Some man you are, Kamren Kent," Kamren snarled, wiping his eyes and standing up once more. "Who needs someone like him? If he doesn't want to be around me, I don't want to be around…"
His train of thought was suddenly broken by a singular, high-pitched scream that sounded to the east. It was a scream Kamren could easily identify…
Carla?
***
Burner trudged over the hot afternoon sands looking for something to eat. If he was going to live alone, he needed to find something to pick up his strength. A loud roar echoed towards him from over the dunes, one very familiar to his Therline senses.
…the cry of a fellow Therline.
Running towards the source of the noise he saw what looked like a carbon copy of himself backed up against a large rock surrounded by Badgune; Sand Badger Pokémon with uncommonly conical heads and brown, rock hard exoskeleton covering parts of their head and back. He saw a couple more of the Ground types surrounding a smaller Fryger, definitely smaller than he'd ever been in his life as a little Fire Tiger Pokémon.
Honogan, help me! the Fryger screamed, backing away fearfully from the Badgune.
Hold on, Kairat! I'll be right there! The Therline replied frantically, lashing out and striking down the nearest Badgune.
As he watched, the Badgune surrounding the younger Fire Tiger Pokémon began a Quick Sand attack and began to drag the littler Fire type into the desert sands. Burner was unsure whether to help the Fryger when the ground at his feet began to squirm uncomfortably. Looking down, he saw his large forepaws sink slowly yet steadily into the ground.
Looking up in a panic, he saw three more Badgune sinking him with the Quick Sand technique. Burner roared and slashed at them, but couldn't reach. The increased activity caused him to sink faster. Swearing loudly, he unleashed a stream of fire at them, but sand began to leap into his throat, stifling his attempts to torch them.
Burner's eyes widened as he sank deeper and deeper under the sand, his arm flailing helplessly as he sank under the surface completely.
Just when he thought of the irony of dying on his first day as a free Therline, a large, clawed hand grabbed his and pulled hard, freeing his head with one tug.
Choking on the sand, Burner looked up into the eyes of the Therline he'd seen fighting down in the dip minutes earlier; who was breathing raggedly, a wicked relic of a scar lying under his right eye. The Fryger looked unhurt too, albeit extremely messy, sticky sand clung to his fur and he also panted heavily, looking at Burner with eager golden eyes.
Are you alright? The Therline asked brusquely as Burner knocked his paw away and struggled out of the messy bog.
Several Frygers and Therlines were running towards them, calling out Honogan-hame!, Are you hurt, Honogan-hame?, How's Kairat?, and looking at Burner asked, Who's he?
Outta here, Burner replied succinctly before making to walk off and promptly passing out.
Honogan replied in a more courteous tone, "He's our guest. Come along, let's get going.
Chinooka City
"Lookit me, Daddy! Lookit, lookit!"A girl of three squealed as she swung higher and higher on the swing in the local school playground.
"Wow, Kaede!"A giant of a man with a mousy brown mop of hair called over to her from a park bench on which he reclined, watching his daughter fondly. "Keep going and you'll fly away!"
"No! Daddy, come quick! I don' wanna fly away from you!" Kaede squealed, looking tearfully.
"Relax, honey. Daddy's only joking," Trey Bolton laughed watching his daughter jump off the swing and run to her beefy father, hugging him tight. "Want to call it a day? We could grab some ice cream…" he added, a slight teasing note in his voice.
"Yaaay!" Kaede yelled happily. "I love you, Daddy!"
"I love you too, Kitty," Trey replied warmly, hugging his daughter back.
"Hello, Trey."
"Gym Leader Ricon! How are you?"Trey exclaimed, spinning around to see the husky twenty four year old Flying type ace standing there wearing his familiar muscle shirt and blue jeans.
"Hello, Ricon-hame," Kaede said happily.
"Hey, Kaede-kan," Ricon replied happily, ruffling her hair fondly.
Looking into the other man's warm, beetle black eyes, the Gym Leader went on, "Trey, I'd like a word… got a moment?"Ricon asked courteously.
"O-of course! Hey, Kaede," Trey said to his daughter, "why don't you play on the swings a little longer? Then we'll go get double scoops!"
"Yaaay! Double scoops, double scoops!" Kaede cheered, running off back to the swings to play some more.
Both men smiled at her retreating back as Ricon sat next to Trey and said softly, "So, how're you two holding up?"
"Fine, Gym Leader Ricon," Trey replied respectfully.
"Please, call me Ricon. After all," Ricon said modestly. "The whole city is my family, and I must look after every member's welfare."
Looking over at Kaede, who was waving at them at the swings, he waved back and went on, "Any idea on who attacked you at home last week?"
"None," Trey replied softly, looking around cautiously.
Ricon noticed his behavior and replied softly, "Don't worry. Nobody, apart from the two of us, knows about your past with Team Shadow. Well, us and Nurse Joy."
"You're sure she'll be alright? I don't want anybody to get hurt anymore… not since…" Trey said, tears welling up in his eyes.
Ricon, closing his eyes and exhaling softly, replied in an undertone, "Don't worry about that. Team Shadow's attack here does worry me though."
"I thought it might, Ricon-hame," Trey replied softly.
"Maybe you'd want to move elsewhere… keep Kaede safe…"Ricon said softly, his eyes watching the little girl's brown hair fly behind her as she swung happily.
"I appreciate your concern," Trey answered humbly, watching his daughter sadly. "And I'll be eternally grateful for offering us sanctuary here in Chinooka. But I don't want a life of fear for Kaede… she deserves better of her father…"
Ricon clapped Trey on the shoulder and stood up. "It's an honour to have one as brave as you in our city, Trey."
"Thank you, Ricon-hame," Trey replied as he also got to his feet.
"Da-deee! Can we please go get some ice cream now?" Kaede called, skipping over to where the chatting adults stood.
"Well, I'd better get going," Ricon said heavily. "Don't want to miss Joy's mash potatoes. Join us?"
"No, thank you, Ricon-hame," Trey said genially, grasping Kaede's hand as they prepared to take their leave.
"OK, then. Stay safe," Ricon smiled, turning to go.
"Bye, bye, Ricon-hame!" Kaede called, waving widely.
"Bye!" Ricon smiled down at her, returning the wave. As the father and daughter walked away, Ricon's smile faded as he lowered his arm slowly. Two figures in white cloaks had begun to trail them. Yet he was sure he'd never seen them before.
Feeling deeply uneasy, Ricon followed.
Grand Corei Desert
"KAMREN!" Carla called, her green eyes fraught with worry as she ambled aimlessly over the desert sands, shielding her eyes from the harsh winds and unforgiving sun. Looking around she saw a shady canyon entrance.
This sandstorm is hopeless, she thought. I'd better wait over there for it to blow over.
Soon, Carla found herself in the cool shadows of the canyon they had traversed earlier that week. Resting the back of her blonde head against the cool rock face and exhaled slightly, sweeping a lock of her wavy hair out of her face. A sudden hissing sound came from near her hand. Looking down she let loose an ear-splitting shriek and pulled her hand away from a smooth scaled green snake, out of whose head seemed to grow a little tree.
The Boamba fixed its evil yellow eye upon the coordinator to be as many more pair appeared from the numerous holes that dotted the rock face that she hadn't seen before she'd entered. Boamba slithered out of the rocks and began moving towards her slowly yet purposefully, tasting the air around them with their flicking tongues.
Carla backed away swiftly, her heart racing. Reaching for her Fryger's pokéball, something long and thorny struck her wrist sharply, numbing her fingers and causing her to drop the pokéball with a clunk. The long thing swung again and Carla felt the thorns pierce her bare shoulder and send her skidding across the desert sands away from her fallen weapon.
Blood seeped down her shoulder into her blue halter neck top as she fixed her fearful green eyes upon what seemed to be the chief of the colony. At over eleven and a half feet long, and every square inch of its scaly hide littered with thorns, the Python Pokémon let out a loud hiss and flashed its purple, poisonous fangs at the stricken twelve year old girl who scooted away from the vicious Grass and Poison type and Tora's pokéball as the Mamba Pokémon closed in.
Kamren, Carla thought frantically, too afraid to scream. Kamren, please… help me…
***
Burner slumped against a rock, looking down at his large ham sized paws in disbelief. He could handle hordes of Rumboo, Scyther, Nidokings, Onix… yet still, a family of Sandshrew had bested him…
What is happening to me? he thought dejectedly. Damn it… damn it all! he yelled aloud, slamming the ground with his hand, accidentally setting off an Earthquake attack.
A frightened squeak brought the Therline to his senses. Looking around, he saw a small Fire Tiger Pokémon hiding behind a rock, a small piece of meat in his mouth.
Oh, Kairat, Burner said listlessly, turning away as the young Fryger approached him timidly and lay the morsel by the larger Pokémon's side.
F-for you, Kairat said meekly, stepping away slowly.
Kairat…
The Fryger squeaked and stammered, Y-yes?
Burner held up the meat and tore it in half. Handing one half to the little Pokémon, he said, Here, have some.
I couldn't, Kairat said in a shocked voice. Honogan said to give it to you… all the rest of the colony have eaten already.
Hey, brat, Burner snarled threateningly. Shut up, sit down and EAT!
Kairat gulped and hastened to obey.
As the two Fire types chewed meditatively, the smaller one said tremulously, You must be really strong.
Burner laughed mirthlessly and replied harshly, What makes you say that?
Not even Honogan can shake the earth like you just did… your trainer must have been awesome…
He wasn't.
Kairat looked up at Burner in shock. But, you can do the most amazing attacks I've ever seen! Even Honogan…
Do me a favour, Kairat, Burner said softly. Never compare me to Honogan again!
W-why?
Cause… Burner began, appalled at himself for what he was about to say, never believing it of anybody until then. 'cause Honogan's stronger than me. I've only just realized it.
I don't understand, Kairat said, his eyes full of puzzlement.
Being strong alone isn't enough, Burner said softly. To be truly strong, you have to have someone to defend… to fight for. Honogan has the entire colony to oversee, and puts its welfare before all other things… that's what makes him strong.
Closing his eyes in defeat, he murmured I have no one like that.
But what about your trainer? Kaireat asked in an uncharacteristically sagely voice.
He wants me to be weak, Burner said stubbornly. He wants me to give up the instincts that make me strong.
Does he? Did he actually say those words? Kairat asked timidly.
Burner pondered these questions and found that it couldn't be right. Kamren had admired his aggression. Always. What was bothering him, Burner thought to himself, was my tendency to go berserk and nearly kill my opponents. Kamren never wanted me to kill. Punish, perhaps. But to claim a Pokémon's life? No wonder Kamren has been reluctant to use me in battle since…
I understand it all now! Burner exclaimed, leaping to his feet. I finally get it!
Understand? Understand what? Get what? Kairat inquired, surprised at the Therline's sudden movement.
I've gotta go, Burner said enigmatically.
Go? Go where? Kairat asked, feeling hurt.
Looking back with a reckless smile, he scolded his younger evolutionary cousin, You ask too many questions. Thank Honogan for showing me what I have to do, will you?
Burner leapt down the rock face and began to glow white as he took off running across the cool evening desert sands.
A Therline with a scar running down the side of his face watched him go and smiled You're welcome, Burner.
Chinooka City
"How's your ice cream, Kaede?" Trey asked happily as his little girl swung happily from his hand.
"Cold!" Kaede chirped, happily slurping down her raspberry and mocha ice cream.
Trey beamed down at his little girl as they walked down an isolated street that wasn't too far from their home when a figure suddenly accosted them just as they were about to walk past a dark alley. The man wore a white cloak with a circular gold fastening and the hood up; a sign that Trey found forboding.
"Trey Bolton?" The figure asked him quietly.
This inquiry was only seeking to cause Trey even greater disquiet. Instead of voicing this opinion, he took a deep breath and replied, "Yes? Who are you?"
As he said this, he felt a presence sneak up behind them. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a near identical figure step up from the shadows behind them. Keeping them both in his sight as he moved Kaede behind him, he repeated "Who are you? What do you want?"
"Your demise," the first voice said in an expressionless voice.
His head swiveling around to face its owner, a piercing noise rent the evening air followed by a faint gurgling noise. Looking down at the site of intense pain that was his lower right torso, and watched blood gush from a small, neat and circular wound in his abdomen. Trey's eyesight began to blur as he shakily looked up into the man's cold, hateful eyes and down to his hand, which held a smoking revolver.
Shuddering violently, Trey Bolton, crumpled and with his last breath whispered, "Run, Kaede… Oh, God… Kaede… Kae…de…"
"Daddy?" Kaede mumbled in a constricted voice, watching her father breath his last and his eyes go out of focus. "Daddy?! Wake up, Daddy… let's go home… Daddy? Daddy?! DADDY!!!!"
The second figure also pulled out a gun and said heartlessly, "And now for this evil's spawn…"
The second assailant finger began to apply lethal pressure on the trigger when suddenly a flash of steely talons streaked through the air, lashing the gun out of her wrist. She screamed and clutched her wrist, swearing under her breath as her partner took aim at the Bird Pokémon and fired. The bullet found its mark and the Flying type keeled with a screech before disappearing swiftly.
Damn! A Double Team! The man thought in frustration. Before he knew what was happening, the real Pidgeotto flew in and attacked the man's gun hand with his vicious talons.
"Damn it! Die!" he roared, pulling out a knife.
"Come, our mission has been compromised," The second attacker said swiftly. "We'll return for the… abomination," (she had said the word with unwonted viciousness), "later."
The man nodded and both of them pelted down the alleyway with Pidgeotto in full pursuit.
Ricon came charging around the corner, worry mixed with abject horror in his eyes. Rushing towards the man he examined quickly for any sign of life that he might have still borne.
"Kaede! Oh, my God… Trey!" Ricon said frantically, desperately searching for a sign that would renounce what all his senses were telling him, but it was no use.
Kaede slowly rocked her father's limp form and whispered, "Wake up, Daddy. Please wake up. I love you, Daddy… please wake up…"
Damn it all, Ricon thought as Pidgeotto returned empty taloned. Apparently, the mysterious assailants had fled the scene. We were too late…
Your orders, Ricon-hame? Pidgeotto said softly, bowing his head in respect to the passing of Trey Bolton.
"Get Gregor. Tell him… tell him there's another one for the morgue," Ricon said almost as though suffering from a bad head cold although it was a warm evening. "And then tell, Joy to set an extra place at the table. Kaede will be staying with us for a while."
Acknowledged, the Pidgeotto nodded, taking flight.
Reaching down towards Trey's face, he slid his eyelids over his blank, staring eyes and taking a solitary pokéball he knew contained a Shelgon told the little girl softly, "C'mere, Kaede. We've gotta go."
"No! I won't leave Daddy!" Kaede cried, sobbing on her father's chest.
Ricon began to cry softly too. "I know, Kaede. I know. He'll always watch over us from the great Sky…"
Kaede leapt into Ricon's arms and wept uncontrollably. With what looked like a world of effort, he picked her up and carried her towards his home.
He was decided.
Kaede would have a normal life. Free from fear. Free from pain.
And he would make sure she got it, or, as her father had done before him, die trying.
One thing he knew, he couldn't do it alone… he needed help…
…he needed her.
Grand Corei Desert
"Damn it, Carla! Why'd you come after me?" Kamren roared, attempting to swat away the snakelike Pokémon with a thin branch he'd found on his way to rescue her.
"I was worried about you, that's why!"Carla retorted, gathering her injured Faelock and Sandshrew back into their pokéballs. "If only we could reach Tora's pokéball…"
"You dropped it?!" Kamren asked in hysterical disbelief, swinging his weapon at the Pythorn, who seized it in its large maw and snapped it effortlessly.
Damn it, Kamren thought dejectedly. We're screwed!
"We're gonna die, aren't we?" Carla moaned.
"Looks like it," Kamren said grimly, as the Boamba and Pythorn moved in for the kill.
"Before we bite the big one, Kamren," Carla said softly. "Why are you here, helping me?"
Facing the serpent Pokémon as they slithered nearer, Kamren replied, "It's what friends do… isn't it?"
Carla was stunned. True, she had been the only one to remain friends with Kamren after his father left home, but that he thought enough of her to be spurred into action like this was almost like the Kamren she'd met all those years ago… the one she admired…
…the one she loved.
Four feet away from striking range, loud howls rent the air, the serpentine Pokémon, suddenly startled, turned tail and fled the scene.
Kamren and Carla blinked. In one instant, the canyon had been littered with snakes. The next, they had vanished.
Turning to stare at each other, Carla voice the question both of them were thinking. "Do you think we're OK?"
Before he could answer, the howl came again, much closer than before. The two teens' heads swiveled in unison to see a pack of evil-looking, drooling Jackal Pokémon coming closer. The three foot tall Pokémon had ash grey overcoats of fur hanging on their lanky, blood red bodies. Their tongues liked their muzzles obscenely as they prowled closer, their eyes fixed tantalizingly upon the injured Carla and the exhausted Kamren.
I take what I thought back, Kamren thought quietly, desperate not to show fear. Now we're screwed!
The lead Crackal crouched low and leapt for Carla's throat. Yelling, Kamren leapt in between them just as something large swiped the air, sending the Jackal Pokémon flying with a high-pitched yelp.
Kamren looked up… yes, up… and saw something that took his breath away. Over six foot of muscle stood between them and the Crackal cornering them. Vibrant orange pelt slashed with black stripes covered its large form; a mane of creamy white fur cloaked its head and upper torso like a hood. Its long tail swished from side to side as its three foot long arms flexed in anticipation of a battle.
"No way…" Kamren said faintly, staring at the tiger that had appeared miraculously to defend them. "Burner?"
The Volcat looked back at the boy with a brilliant jade green eye and nodded slightly.
Looks like I'm stuck with you again, Burner said indifferently. So… shall we take care of these guys?
Kamren smirked and said, "Just go easy on 'em, will ya?"
***
"Geez, Burner… there was no need to use that Crackal as a sledgehammer, you know," Kamren laughed as they left the canyon behind them and returned to camp, Carla riding on Burner's back.
Hey, it was still alive after all that, wasn't it? Burner replied with a smirk of his own.
The two looked at each other for a moment, the cool evening air ruffling their har and burst out laughing in unison, all enmity forgotten.
Carla was clutching Kamren's arm as he walked alongside Burner back to their campsite, her eyes closed and a peaceful expression on her face. Burner looked at her out of the corner of his eye and smirked, So, have you professed undying love for Carla yet?
Kamren flushed scarlet and hissed, "Shut up."
"Kamren, Carla! There you guys are!" Calvin called, running up to meet them with Dex. "That guy wouldn't leave… said he wanted to talk to Carla no matter what…"
Carla's green eyes opened and she said, "Who wants to see me out here?"
"That would be me," a smooth baritone voice said quietly.
Rubin Manson stepped out from behind one of the tents and said brusquely, "I'd like a private word."
***
Kamren, Calvin and Dex waited outside her tent where she was talking with the ace coordinator.
"Just who does that guy think he is?!" Calvin stormed, pacing the ground furiously. "If Keno wasn't out cold right now, I'd have him send that upstart flying!"
Kamren, slumped in a reclining position against Burner's side, yawned lazily and replied, "Relax, Calvin. We'll soon know," he said, watching the shadows in the lit tent move towards the entrance while stroking the Fire Tiger's side.
Carla appeared moments later with her travelling bag over her shoulder and announced "I've decided to travel with Rubin for a while."
"WHAT?!"Calvin and Dex yelped in shock. Burner and Kamren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Look, I know it's sudden," Carla went on hurriedly. "It's just that, how many coordinators would pass up the chance to study as a protégée under a prodigy like Rubin?"
"You sure that's it, hunh?" Calvin spluttered unsure what he was hearing.
"It's not like we won't be able to keep in touch," Carla went on with a bite of impatience in her voice now. "There are PokéNavs for these sorts of situations. "I'll call every day…"
"But then again, who said we'd talk to you?" Calvin answered her nastily.
Carla flinched at the harshness of her brother's words.
"Why now, Carla?" Dex said, unsure how she could make such a rash decision.
"Kamren? Are-are you OK with this?"Carla asked uncertainly, suddenly having trouble meeting his goose grey eyes.
Without looking back, Kamren said calmly, "What can I say? You're decided, right?"
"Y-yeah," Carla said, looking desperately at Kamren, trying to catch his eye, make him understand it was for the best, but the Coreian boy trainer refused to oblige.
"Then go," Kamren said softly, picking himself up off the dusty floor. Dusting off his navy blue cargo pants he walked over to his tent without so much as a glance at her. Burner followed him, throwing Carla a scathing look.
"Well, then," Carla said, turning to her brother; who looked betrayed, to Dex who just looked stunned, she said awkwardly, "I guess I'll see you later then."
"NO!" Calvin yelled angrily. "I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!"
"Calvin…" Carla said shocked but he overrode her again.
"GET OUT! GET OUT NOW AND NEVER COME BACK! I HATE YOU!"
Carla retracted her hand, bowed her head and walked off into the cold desert night alongside Rubin.
"Carla…" Dex said in a lost voice.
Meanwhile, Calvin rounded on Kamren's tent and roared "Are you really OK with this?!"
No voice came from the tent.
"If you'd just said she should stay, she'd… she'd…" he mouthed silently for several moments, too furious for coherent speech, before roaring, "WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY ANYTHING?! SAY SOMETHING!"
Finally Kamren responded. "Shut up, Calvin."
"Wha… what?"Calvin spluttered.
"Let Carla make her own decisions for once," Kamren's voice said softly from the tent. "Stop clinging to her like a baby. Grow up."
"You… you…" Calvin spluttered in rage. "I'm going!" he said, packing his bag hurriedly and storming off after Carla's retreating back.
Dex was left alone out in the cold. "Kamren? What do I do?"
The tent unzipped and Kamren poked out his head. Staring after Calvin's shrinking back he said, "Go with Calvin. I'll be OK alone."
"But…" Dex said, unwilling to leave his best friend behind.
"Go ahead," Kamren urged him. "He needs you more than I do right now. Plus he's not old enough to look after himself mentally, no matter what I said."
Dex stared open-mouthed at Kamren for a few minutes, before Kamren said, "If you don't hurry, you'll lose him. Just keep in touch, OK?"
Dex nodded slowly and packed up the tent and his things. In a few minutes, he hurried off after the juvenile researcher as Kamren exhaled heavily and scooted over to give Burner, Volt and Ciela more room. He stared at the photo in his hand which showed all four of them together at Kamren, Carla and Dex's graduation from Olville Pokémon Academy.
Yes, the group had always resolved their differences… always hung together… always sorted thing out…
… how on earth were they going to put this back together?
***
CHARACTER PROFILE OF THE WEEK
Name: Kamren Kent
Age: 13
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: November 22nd, PA 2001
Eye Colour: Grey
Hair Colour: Reddish blond
Theme: Never Look Back by Crush 40
Current Teammates: Burner (Volcat), Ciela (Zwi-tail), Volt (Jolteon)
Pokémon at the Yew Observatory: Unknown
Background: Kamren is Sapph's rival. A stuck up, arrogant and hardcore youth, Kamren is the kind of person who lives by the words 'Might makes right'.
Kamren however wasn't always this way. When he moved away from Nightspark City with his family, he was a happy smiling boy who was easy to get along with. After his father left home without so much as a farewell, Kamren turned cold, and swore to be strong wnough to support his mother and sister, and to find thier coward of a father and bring him home, no matter what it took.
Finally, making some killer introduction to four more Corei-Dex entries!
Name: Faelock
Corei-Dex Number: 033
Type: Grass/Flying
Species: Sun Bird
Pronunciation: fie-lock
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 98kg
Habitat: Grassland
Evolution Line: LEAFEN –(16)-PLUMOWL-(32)-FAELOCK
Name Derivation: FAEL is LEAF spelt backwards + cOCKerel
Notes: it is said that a Faelock's multicoloured wings are spread wide to welcome the morning sun. They always roost facing the east, as though waiting for the sun to rise.
Name: Volcat
Corei-Dex Number: 006
Type: Fire
Species: Fire Tiger
Height: 6'02"
Weight: 165 lbs
Habitat: Grassland
Evolution Line: Fryger-(16)-Therline-(36)-Volcat
Name Derivation: VOLcano + CAT
Notes: Volcat are the harbingers of destruction. When in a rage, Volcat are known to destroy nearby water sources by evaporating it with merely increasing its body temperature.
Name: Crackal
Corei-Dex Number: 042
Type: Fire
Species: Jackal
Pronunciation: crah-kahl
Height: 3'09"
Weight: 37kg
Habitat: Rough-terrain
Evolution Line: CELCUB-(Fire Stone)- CRACKAL
Name Derivation: CRAckle (sound made by open fire) + jaCKAL
Notes: Crackal hunt in packs, although they feed themselves fist and leave the scraps to the young CELCUB of the colony.
Name: [URL=.]
Pythorn[/URL]
Corei-Dex Number: 186
Type: Grass/Poison
Species: Python
Pronunciation: pie-thorn
Height: 11'07"
Weight: 122kg
Habitat: Rough-terrain
Evolution Line: CACTADDER-(18)-BOAMBA-(30)-PYTHORN
Name Derivation: PYthon + THORN
Notes: Pythorn immobilizes its prey by wrapping its thorny body around its prey and stabbing it repeatedly with its poisonous horn.